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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2014-01-23RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 23, 2014 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT / COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 23rd day of January, 2014. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chair Ericson, Trustees Elrod and Norris Chair Ericson, Trustees Elrod and Norris Town Administrator Lancaster, Directors Chilcott and Fortini, Managers Mitchell and Salerno, Special Event Coordinator Jacobson, and Deputy Town Clerk beats Director Winslow Chair Ericson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. None. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. INTRODUCTION OF KAREN LYNCH. EVENT SALES MARKETING MANAGER. Coordinator Jacobson introduced Karen Lynch who recently joined Special Events staff to market the new facilities at the fairgrounds. She reported that a temporary website has been created, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a permanent website has been issued, and press releases describing and providing information about the new facilities are being compiled for Front Range communities. She also noted that the names MPEG and Stall Barns will be retired. ROAD CLOSURES FOR EVENTS. Coordinator Jacobson reviewed the road closures for 2014 and early 2015. She noted that not all events have been scheduled for 2014, and that subsequent road closures will be brought forward when necessary as events are booked and placed on the events calendar. The Committee recommends approval of the road closures as presented to be included as a consent item on the February 11, 2014, Town Board meeting agenda. The road closures are as follows: Event Area of Closure Dates Art Market MacGregor Ave. & Park Lane May 24-26,2014 Wool Market Manford Ave. (shoulder)June 7-8, 2014 Scandinavian Festival MacGregor Ave. & Park Lane June 28-29, 2014 Coolest Car Show MacGregor Ave. & Park Lane July 4, 2014 Parade - Rodeo Elkhorn Ave., Highways 36 & 7 July 8, 2014 Rooftop Rodeo Manford Ave. (shoulder)July 8-13, 2014 Arts & Crafts Show MacGregor Ave. & Park Lane Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 2014 Scottish/Irish Fest Manford Ave. (shoulder)Sept. 4-7, 2014 Scottish/Irish Fest Manford Ave. & Community Dr.Sept. 4-8, 2014 Parade - Scottish/Irish Fest Elkhorn Ave., Highway 34 Sept. 6. 2014 Fine Arts Guild MacGregor Ave. & Park Lane Sept. 13-14, 2014 Autumn Gold MacGregor Ave. & Park Lane Sept. 19-21,2014 Elk Fest MacGregor Ave. & Park Lane Oct. 4-5, 2014 Parade - Homecoming Elkhorn Ave., Highways 36 & 7 October - TBD Parade - Catch the Glow Elkhorn Ave., Highways 36 & 7 Nov. 28, 2014 Frost Giant MacGregor Ave.January 25, 2015 FIT-PLUS PASS FEE ADJUSTMENT. The revenue collected from the sale of Fit-Plus passes and fitness class fees was RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - January 23, 2014 - Page 2 approximately $2,900 in 2013. Manager Mitchell said staff reviewed the current fee schedule and is proposing a slight increase which, if approved, would become effective March 1, 2014. A variety of classes will still be offered at an affordable rate. She said non-members will be charged slightly more than members, a move that is intended to encourage membership in Estes Park Senior Citizens Center, Inc. (EPSCC). Staff is proposing to offer both a 10-punch and a 20-punch pass. The cost would remain the same for EPSCC, Inc., members at $1.50 per punch; with an increase for non-members from $2.00 to $2.50 per punch. The drop-in rate for non-members would increase to $3.00 per class. In addition, the classes will be open to Silver Sneakers participants. The fees are expected to maintain or improve net revenue for the Senior Center and cover instructor expenses. Manager Mitchell said the proposed fee increase has been well-received by participants in the fitness programs with little feedback received by staff and no comments related to the upcoming sales tax increase. The Committee recommends that the adjusted Fit-Plus Pass fees be included as an action item on the February 11, 2014, Town Board meeting agenda. MUSEUM PROGRAM FEE STRUCTURE. Staff presented a proposed fee structure for Museum programs. The fees are intended to offset program expenses, facility upkeep and maintenance, and other operational expenses. Director Fortini stated that a fee schedule does not currently exist for the Museum and said many programs as well as visitation to the museum would remain free of charge. The proposed fee schedule would apply to programs that are currently fee-based, new fee-based programs, and group tours and visits, for example. The Museum Program Fee Structure does not affect room rental fees. Trustee Elrod requested that staff ensure that value is received for ticketed tours by using educated, knowledgeable volunteers as tour guides. Trustee Norris requested sensitivity to the public in regard to the fee structure and the proposed sales tax increase. In regard to a new historic tour business that is preparing to open in Town, Dir. Fortini said that he expects it will generate an interest in history, increase visitation at the Museum, and allow staff to explore more non-traditional programming. The Committee recommends that the Museum Program Fee Structure be included as an action item on the February 11, 2014, Town Board meeting agenda. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Museum Quarterly Report — Programs scheduled for the first quarter of 2014 include Art Eats; Meet Me at the Museum; a program co-sponsored with the Estes Valley Library entitled Eleanor Roosevelt: What Are We Fighting for in Estes Park in World War II; Colorado Connecting Collections Most Significant Artifacts which will include discussion about two significant artifacts that pertain to Estes Park history. In addition, an Estes Park History 101 class ranging from the early pioneers to F.O. Stanley to natural disasters that have occurred in Estes Park, will begin in April and will include guest lecturers and field trips. Trustee Elrod stated that book publishing might be an area of interest for residents of the community and Trustee Norris commented that tours of the flood damaged areas might be of interest to visitors. Trustee Norris commended staff for completing fire extinguisher training and Town Administrator Lancaster said that type of training would be beneficial to all employees. Director Fortini said that work on a mountaineering exhibit in collaboration with Rocky Mountain National Park continues with oral histories and interviews being recorded, and photos and examples of gear being assembled. • Visitor Center Quarterly Report - Manager Salerno said that during the fourth quarter of 2013, telephone calls to the Visitor Center increased for the first time since 2009 with many people calling to check on the status of Estes Park following the flood. Applications to serve as a volunteer Ambassador are being received and training will take place this spring. In addition, Karen Lynch will keep the volunteers up-to-date on new events at the MPEC and stall barns. Retail sales at the Visitor Center were down in 2013, and a new DVD on the history of Hidden Valley has been added to the inventory. Shuttle Coordinator Wells said shuttle routes have been established and bids for the printing of shuttle maps are being solicited. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - January 23, 2014 - Page 3 • January Events Report — The WinterFest was not held this year due to construction activities at the fairgrounds. The Whiskey Warm-Up Weekend was held this year as a placeholder for the event. An event focus committee is being assembled and will include representation from the Estes Valley Partners for Commerce. The first meeting will be held on January 30, 2014. • Senior Services - Name & Position Title Change - Staff is recommending name and title changes from Senior Center Division to Senior Services Division to more accurately identify and describe the wide variety of services offered. • Livable Communities and The Passions Project — Staff is working with Larimer County on a black and white photography exhibit called The Passions Project which features two Estes Park residents, Paula Steige and Frank Gunter, along with other Larimer County residents. In addition Manager Mitchell will represent Estes Park in upcoming stakeholder groups in Fort Collins for Livable Communities. The project goal is to help make communities around the United States great places to grow up and grow old. • Verbal Updates - o The Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVRPD) continues to hold meetings regarding the community wellness recreation center with space planning being a topic of discussion at a recent meeting. A community survey and community presentations are planned as well as a presentation to the Town Board following completion of the feasibility study and prior to the election. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. ESTES PARK MEDICAL CENTER-(EPMC) FEE-WAIVER. EPMC has withdrawn their fee waiver request in order to provide time to address neighborhood concerns. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Courtyard Shoos Code Compliance Update - Dir. Chilcott said that work has started on the sprinkler system at the Courtyard Shops in the area of the Overlook Restaurant. She noted that if a portion of the sprinkler system is not completed by May 1st, an eviction process for the residential units will be started. Dir. Chilcott will confirm with the owner that the residential units will be sprinkled by May 1st. • Annual Community Development Report — Dir. Chilcott reported on highlights of services provided in seven core service areas including: more efficient permitting procedures: official addressing system converted from paper to Geographic Information System (GIS); revised regulations to comply with state standards and proactively planning for spring run-off; day to day services related to signage, updating and modernizing the Comprehensive Plan; weekly meetings of the development review team resulting in improved coordination and communication, and full-time Code Compliance Officer/Planner to provide community outreach and develop code compliance policies and procedures. Trustee Norris commented that these are examples of improvements in government and the services taxpayers receive for their tax dollars. The Committee discussed next steps in regard to proposed changes to the Development Code and proposed scheduling joint work sessions to include the Town Board, Estes Valley Planning Commission, and Larimer County Commissioners. Next steps in updating the Comprehensive Plan were also discussed. Dir. Chilcott said previous information indicated that an update to the Code could be implemented at a cost of $50,000 to $75,000, depending on the length of the public comment component. • Development Review Team Update — Planner Shirk provided highlights from 2013 which included: building permits for the MPEC and Stall Barns; special reviews of the Elkhorn Tubing Hill, an open air adventure park, the Harmony Foundation expansion. Elm Road Industrial Park, Estes Park Medical Center parking lot expansion, and initial review of the Anschutz Wellness Center on Lot 4; review of a wedding pavilion in the Stanley Historic District; approval of three RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services — January 23, 2014 — Page 4 locations for AT&T monopine cell antenna; Mountain River Townhomes development; Sanctuary on Fall River; Visitor Center Parking Structure; and ridge line protection review. He stated the projects represent approximately $60 million worth of development in the Estes Valley in 2013. Planner Shirk reported that the busy trend is continuing into the beginning of 2014 with pre-application meetings for redevelopment on the former Mountaineer Restaurant property and a proposed development by the Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA); and a ridge line protection review in Husted Heights. Staff commented that the current Planning Commission is working well together and that training on development review and conflict of interest and quasi-judicial decisions have been held. Trustee Elrod noted that it is helpful to the EVPC when a representative of Larimer County is in attendance at their meetings and encouraged their continued participation. There being no further business, Chair Ericson adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m. nthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk APPROVED FEB 1 1 2014 TOV/N OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES